Valve spring lock inserter



March 29, 1932. c J, MUZZY ET AL 1,851,681

VALVE SPRING LOCK INSERTER Filed June 2, 1928 Mn 37 lmm' m IN VE N TORSC/ltsrck Jmoiv fiazzn By 77mm E mama Giana 7. A TTORNEYS.

mm... Mar. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE CHESTER JUDSON' MUZZYAND THOMAS EDWARD GANNON, O! BAKER, OREGON VALVE SPRING LOCK INSEB'I'ERApplication filed June 2, 1928. Serial 1T0. 282,438.

Our invention relates to improvements in valve spring key inserterscommonly known as split keys, and it consists in the combinations,constructions, and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of our invention is to provide a valve spring key inserterthat employs in a single tool means for holding the two parts of the keyand for keeping these parts separated from each other until they aremoved upon the valve stem,whereby the tool can be 1 removed, leaving theparts in adjusted position upon the stem. Tools of which we are awarefor inserting valve spring keys do not 1 hold the ke parts separatedfrom each other,

and they 0 not absolutely prevent the key parts from falling down intothe crank case.

Considerable time, of course, is lost should a key drop into the crankcase, in requiring an the mechanic to fish it out.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed which is extremely simple in construction and which isthoroughly eflicient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds,and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a partof this P ication, in which igure 1 is a to plan view of the device;

Figure 2 is a si e elevation; and

Figures 3 and 4 are sections along the lines 33 and 44 of Figure 2.

In carrying out our invention, we provide a handle 1 that is flat andrelatively long. One end of the handle has a recess 2 large 0 enough toreceive a valve stem 3 spring pressed by spring 3a. Upon the handle weslidably mount a bar 4 that is centrally disposed. One end of the barnormally bisects the recess 2 and extends beyond the handle. The bar isused for the pur ose of keeping key parts 5 and 6 separated rom eachother. The bar is of the same width as the diameter of the reducedportion 7 of the stem 3 (see Figure 1).

Keepers 8 and 9 are used for slidably conres ect to the handle.

necting the bar 4 to the handle 1. The keeper 8 is shown in.Fi ures 1, 2and 3, and it comprises a strip 0 metal that has outwardl extending ears10 and 11 lying flush with t e top of the keeper, and legs 12 and 13that are bent downwardly to straddle the bar 4. The

'the strip of metal forming the keeper 9-, and

legs 20 and 21 are also integral with the 68 keeper and extend throughopenings 22 and 23 and have upset ends 24 and 25. The bar 4 slidesthrough the keeper 9 as shown.

Figure 2 clearly shows how the 1e 5 of keepers 8 and 9 are provided withre need portions 26 and 27 that extend through the openings in thehandle 1. This construction, together with the upset ends of the legs,prevents vertical movement of the keepers with U-shaped spring 28straddles the keepers 8 and 9, and has, its closed end 29 passed beqneath the bar 4. Fi ure 2 shows how the closed portion is slidafilyreceived in a recess 30 cut into the bottom of the bar 4.

The leg 31 of the spring is passed through the eyelet 18 and beneath theear 10, while the leg 32 is carried by the eyelet link and bears againstthe under surface of the ear 11. The eyelets urge the legs 31 and 32toward each other, and the legs are provided with curved portions 33 and34 respectively that yieldingly engage with the key parts 5 and 6. Theends ofthe legs 31*and 32 are curved outwardly at 35 and 36 forpermitting them to receive the valve stem 3.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, theoperation thereof may be readily understood. The key parts 5 and 6 areplaced u on each side of the bar 4 and are held in p ace by the spring28. The handle 1 is now moved toward the valve stem 3 for causing thestem to contact with theend of the bar 4 and to move the bar rearwardlyuntil the stem is received between the key parts and 6; The legs 31 and32 of the spring snap the key parts into place upon the reduced portionor groove 7. The bar 4 may now be retracted 5 still further by placingthe thumb upon the serrated end 37 and drawing rearwardly. This freesthe bar from the keys and permits the spring legs to cause the key partsto encircle the reduced ortion 7.

The washer 38 is now lowered upon the portions of the key parts 5 and 6that pro- ]ect above the legs 31 and 32. The tool may now be removed andthe ke parts 5 and 6 will be prevented from fal ing due to the washerenclosing the tops of them. After the tool is removed, the washer may bemoved downwardly until it is seated upon the key arts. p Although'wehave shown and described 3 one embodiment of our invention, it is to beunderstood that the same is susceptible of various changes, and wereserve the right to employ such changes as may come within the scope ofthe appended claims. We claim:

1. A valve spring key inserter for keys having a plurality of parts comrising a suport for the keys and slidab e means for keeping the keyparts entirely free from 80 each other.

2. A valve spring key inserter for keys having a plurality of partscomprising a suport for the 'keys and slidable means for keeping the keyparts separated from each other, said means being adapted to be movedwhen brought into contact with a valve stem for permitting the stem tobe received between the key parts.

,3. A valve spring key inserter for keys having a plurality of partscomprising a handle for supporting the key parts, a spacing memberadapted to be disposed between the key parts and being'of substantiallythe same width as the diameter of the valve stem, said member beingmovable by the stem when brought into contact with the stem and springmeans for urging said key parts into position upon the stem when themember is retracted.

4. A valve spring key inserter for keys having a plurality of partscomprising a handle for supporting the key parts, a bar slidable thereonfor spacing the key parts from each other, and spring means for urgingthe key parts toward each other. 5. A valve spring key inserter for keyshaving a plurality of parts comprising a handle, a bar slidable thereonfor spacing the key parts from each other and spring means for urgingthe key parts toward each other, said bar being of substantially thesame width as the diameter of a valve stem and adapted to be retractedby the stem when brought into contacting engagement with said stemwhereby said spring means will ing member and being adapted to be movedwhen brought into contact with a valve stem for freeirag the key halvesfrom the s acing means an means for urging said key alves toward eachother whereby said urging means will move the key halves into engagementwith the valve stem.

having two segments comprisin a key supporting member, means slidablymounted thereon for spacing the segments of the key from each other, bypassing between the segments and means for urging the key segmentstoward each other.

8. A valve spring key inserter for keys having a number of segmentscomprising a key supporting member having a notch adapted to receive avalve stem, a bar slidably mounted on said member and being ada ted tospace segments of the key from eac other and being slidabletherebetween, yielding means for urging the key segments towar each.other, said yielding means being mounted upon said member and beingadapted to force the key segments against said slidable bar and said barbeing adapted to be retracted when brought into contacting engagementwith the valve stem, whereby said against the stem.

'9. A valve sprin key inserter for keys consisting of a pair 0? parts,com risin means for spacing the two parts of t e va ve stem key andmeans for urging the two parts upon the spacing means, the said spacinmeans being retractible so as to yield and withdraw when pushed againsta valve rod.

10. A device of the class described comprising a bod element terminatingin one bifurcated en atongue slidably disposed upon the body element,means limiting the movement of the tongue relative to the body element,a resilient split key holder pivotally secured to the body element andmeans for limiting the movement of the resilient split key holderrelative to the body element.

11. A device of the class described, the combination of a one-piece bodyelement terminating in a bifurcated head at one end, a tongue disposedcentral of the body element and adapted for limited movementlongitudinally of the body element, spring means secured to the bodyelement and lying at either side of the tongue and means for maintainingthe side arms of the spring means in slidable engagement with the bodyelement.

12. A device of the class described, the

7. A valve spring key inserter for keys lUU yielding means will urge thekey segments Ill combination of a bifurcated body element a tonguedisposed centrally of the body ament and slidable relative thereto,spring means composed of two arms being hingedly secured to the bodyelement, and means for maintaining the said arms of the spring meansparallel to the body element.

- CHESTER JUDSON MUZZY.

THOMAS EDWARD GANNON.

